Moreno Valley schools’ Chief Academic Officer Martinrex Kedziora was appointed superintendent Tuesday night, Jan. 17, as the school board moved quickly to name a successor to outgoing schools chief Judy White.

Kedziora will take over Wednesday, Feb. 1, allowing White to begin her new position as Riverside County Superintendent of Schools at the same time.

Moreno Valley Unified School board President Cleveland Johnson said trustees considered a search but Kedziora, who he has called White’s “right-hand man,” seemed a natural choice.

The district had a strong management team with members ready to move up when vacancies occur, Johnson said. Kedziora was ready to take on the task, said Johnson, who noted that Kedziora also has strong support from teachers, staff and parents at Tuesday’s meeting.

“They don’t have to wonder how he’s going to manage because they know who he is and I think that’s great for the district,” Johnson said.

Board Vice President Gary Baugh credited Kedziora for helping put together several successful district programs. Continuity and Kedziora’s knowledge of the district were also important factors, Baugh said.

“We had all kinds of options we could have pursued but there was no need to,” Baugh said. “For somebody that is held with such high esteem in the district and the community it was the right thing to do.”

Baugh described Kedziora as a “hardworking, very compassionate guy.”

“What quality he brings is genuine heartfelt love of children and the desire to make them better than they are,” he said.

The quick appointment surprised Kedziora, Baugh said.

“I deeply appreciate the trust and support of the school board and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served with and learned from Dr. White,” Kedziora stated in a district news release.

Kedziora has a 35-year career in education at several districts in roles including teacher, vice principal, principal, special education coordinator and director of professional development and middle-grades curriculum and instruction.

He joined Moreno Valley Unified in 2011. He previously worked in the Hemet, Morongo, San Bernardino City and Fontana school districts. Kedziora began his career as a high school teacher in Memphis, Tenn.

Kedziora’s current annual salary is $192,997. The board is expected to vote on a contract for him as superintendent on Feb. 14.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the board named Maribel Mattox, director of secondary education, as interim chief academic officer to replace Kedziora. She has been with the district for 30 years in a variety of positions, including principal of Moreno Valley High School.

Moreno Valley Unified has 40 schools, 33,000 students and is the third-largest school district in Riverside County.

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